GM Plans 15 to 30-day Over-Supply for New Buick LaCrosse

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

What is Susan Docherty smoking? At the unveiling of the new Buick LaCrosse, the VP of Buick, Pontiac and GMC (which one of these things is not like the other) told Bloomberg that GM aims to keep a “75-day to 90-day” supply of the model on dealer lots. A 60-day supply is considered ideal. But, apparently, a 15 to 30-day overage would be OK, ’cause the supply would be “consistent with similar premium models such as Honda Motor Co.’s Acura TL.” And there we were thinking the LaCrosse was aimed at something in the Lexus portfolio (48-day supply). Docherty’s comparison to the Acura TL is, shall we say, invidious. The TL is a dog, with a 100-day supply on the ground. Also worth noting: Acura dealers have a 62-day supply of RLs and a 32-day supply of the TSX. And if you figure-in Acura’s SUVs, the wayward Honda brand’s total dealer inventory represents a 58-day supply.

Perhaps Docherty meant that a 75-day supply of new Lucerne’s would be more-or-less consistent with Buick’s total inventory. Although the near-luxury GM brand has an 89-day supply of the current LaCrosse, and a 99-day supply of Lucernes, thanks to the Enclave (46-day supply) their total inventory represents . . . a 74-day supply. Close enough? [All inventory stats courtesy of Automotive News, sub]

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • Paris-dakar Paris-dakar on Jul 18, 2009
    I suspect I’d be more comfy in a ten year old Park Avenue, a handsome car with a usable back seat. That old Park Avenue was a very attractive car. I couldn't believe it when they replaced it with the Lucerne.
  • Taxman100 Taxman100 on Jul 18, 2009

    Didn't everyone complain about GM not having enough Camaros in the pipeline when it was launched? So now they are planning a better supply for the LaCrosse, and that is wrong as well? I will agree with above that most new cars are very ugly, so it would take a lot to ever get me to stop driving a Mercury Grand Marquis.

  • Blastman Blastman on Jul 19, 2009

    The Cruze is a stylistic mess, and I think it will unlikely will be sales hit for GM. As for the LaCrosse, I agree with zc1, the Chinese Regal looks better. The US version grill just doesn't work and gives the front end a bulbous cheap look to it. I also think the interior of the Chinese Regal is much nicer too … http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-china-buick-regal/1248204/

  • Nevets248 Nevets248 on Jul 20, 2009

    Every time I read a statement form this bimbo, I can't help but think of reading the same vapid blandishments of Lynn Meyers, the last female "whiz kid" who helped destroy Pontiac. Lynn must be Ms. D's role model or mentor!

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